June 30 Minor League Report/July 1 Preview

The Blue Jays had an off day but there was lots of minor league action to cover including a start by Aaron Sanchez!

Buffalo Bisons 4, Syracuse Chiefs 5

It took extra innings but the Buffalo Bisons fell to the Syracuse Chiefs 5-4 in 11 innings. Aaron Sanchez had, by far, his best start at the Triple-A level, going seven efficient innings, needing only 83 pitches. He allowed three runs on seven hits but the bright side is that he only walked one batter. He only struck out two though but got a big strikeout with runners on and two outs in the sixth inning to get out of a jam. Brett Cecil allowed a run in his rehab inning of work and Steve Delabar threw two strong innings, allowing a hit and two walks but no runs. Dan Johnson continues to be a rock for the Bisons, going 2/5 with a double, a walk and an RBI. A.J. Jimenez hit a triple and took a walk, going 2/4 with an RBI.

Player of the Game: Aaron Sanchez

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 6, Reading Fightin’ Phils 7

The Fisher Cats’ six-game winning streak is over after a tough loss to the Fightins. Dalton Pompey is still without a hit as he went 0/4 with a walk and his first Double-A stolen base. Mike McDade was 4/5 for the ‘Cats and Andy Burns went 1/4 with a walk and a three-run home run. Scott Copeland allowed six runs over six innings and Scott Gracey took the loss, giving up the seventh and deciding run.

Andy Burns

Player of the Game: Mike McDade and Andy Burns

Dunedin Blue Jays: Scheduled Off Day

Lansing Lugnuts 1, Great Lakes Loons 2

Since June 11, 10 of the Lansing Lugnuts’ last 16 games have been, incredibly, decided by one run. Yesterday’s game was another one that the Lugnuts came out on the wrong side of. Frank Viola III knuckleballed his way through three innings, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks before Phil Kish came in to throw three scoreless innings, getting seven ground ball outs and two strikeouts and Brady Dragmire cleaned up with another two scoreless innings. Despite getting 10 hits, the offense couldn’t score more than one run. D.J. Davis had three of the four hits including a triple and a stolen base and Dickie Joe Thon drove in the club’s only run by going 2/4 with a double.

Player of the Game: D.J. Davis

Vancouver Canadians 10, Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 2

Miguel Castro got off to a rough start, allowing a solo home run in his first inning for the Vancouver Canadians but shut things down from there, throwing five innings and allowing just that one run on three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts. Mark Biggs allowed one run in two innings and Jose Fernandez and Garrett Pickens each went a scoreless inning. For scoring ten runs, the offense wasn’t particularly overactive, getting those runs on only eight hits. The Canadians appear to use the stolen base to great effect, getting four, one from Roemon Fields (1/3), two from Tim Locastro (2/3, BB) and one from Boomer Collins (0/5, RBI). Franklin Barreto drove in two runs, going 1/4 and Chris Carlson had the biggest night, going 2/4 with a double, a walk and five RBI.

Player of the Game: Miguel Castro and Chris Carlson

Bluefield Blue Jays 2, Danville Braves 9

The Blue Jays “only” allowed nine runs yesterday to the Danville Braves as the young pitching staff has been battered by the Braves’ lineup. This time it was Ryan Borucki getting the start and, despite striking out five batters, allowed three runs on three hits with no walks over 3 2/3 innings. Chase Mallard surrendered the most damage, getting charged with six runs (three earned) on six hits with two strikeouts over 3 1/3. Carlos Ramirez pitched a scoreless eighth to finish the game. The club scored their two runs on seven hits including a solo home run for Trent Miller. Aaron Attaway doubled and scored on a Richard Urena single.

Player of the Game: Trent Miller

GCL Blue Jays 3, GCL Tigers 1

Lefty Evan Smith had another excellent outing with five innings of five-hit, one-run, three walk ball with five strikeouts. Jacob Brentz followed in a piggybacking situation and was even better, throwing four scoreless innings. allowing just one hit and three walks with five strikeouts, making this, possibly, his best appearance in pro ball. The offense got just enough to get the job done with two hits and a walk from Juan Kelly and Angel Gomez. Dave Pepe walked twice and hit a double while Deiferson Barreto went 1/4 and drove in all three runs with his first home run.

DSL Blue Jays 0, DSL Tigers 5

The DSL Jays were whitewashed by the Tigers, getting only five hits. Jesus Severino and Leudy Garcia reached base twice, each getting a single and a walk. Denis Diaz started and wasn’t bad, allowing three runs (two earned) but only allowed two hits (including a home run) and one walk while striking out five in five innings. Guillermo De La Cruz threw two innings of scoreless relief, striking out three and Kelyn Jose allowed two runs in 2/3 of an inning.

June 30 Preview

Buffalo Bisons (42-40)

Deck McGuire gets to pick in a night game in Syracuse against the Chiefs and former Blue Jay Josh Roenicke. McGuire, who started off well with the Bisons, has had some setbacks lately and has a cumulative 3-3 record with a 4.95 with Buffalo this year. Catch the game at 7:00 PM on MiLB TV.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (37-45)

The Fisher Cats look to get back on the win parade with their second game against the Reading Fightin’ Phils. Lefty John Anderson is getting a start for the ‘Cats and he’ll face off against 23-year-old lefty Hoby Milner who has a 5-3 record and 3.81 ERA. This one’s an afternoon start: 12:05 PM on MiLB TV.

Dunedin Blue Jays (49-31)

The Dunedin Blue Jays resume action with Kendall Graveman on the mound on the “road” against the Clearwater Threshers. He’ll face Aaron Nola, the Phillies’ first-round draft pick this year, who will be making his second professional start. This one’s at 7:00 PM.

Lansing Lugnuts (38-42)

The Lugnuts have a tough task, heading into West Michigan to take on Kevin Ziomek (6-5, 2.40 ERA) and the 48-33 Whitecaps. The Lugnuts answer with Chase De Jong (0-4, 4.62 ERA) who has had flashes of brilliance but needs to be more consistent from start to start. This game is available on MiLB TV at 7:00 PM.

Vancouver Canadians (10-7)

I’m not entirely sure who will be on the mound for the Canadians at 4:05 PM ET against the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes at home in Vancouver.

Bluefield Blue Jays (4-8)

Bluefield hosts the Princeton Mariners with an unannounced starter going for them at 7:05 PM ET.